"That being said, India know exactly what they are capable of doing. He possesses all three skills equally and we are lucky to have him", Kohli added.

Smith's men would be aiming to exact some revenge for the defeat suffered in the 2013 series but a lot depends on batting big and the bowlers finding ways to contain a marauding Indian batting line-up led by Kohli and Rohit. Hilton Cartwright is making his debut. He has had his on-field banters with James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, David Warner, Steve Smith, and perhaps many from the Australian lineup.

"I feel confident and it was nice to get some time in the middle the other day to get a feel for the wicket and the conditions". Was the same for us. He's someone who you have to watch really closely.

Two months later, India also defeated Australia in the Group Stage match in the 2016 World Twenty20 back at home.

But Maxwell was caught in the deep off Yuzvendra Chahal (3-30) looking to clear the boundary for a sixth time before Marcus Stoinis (three) departed three balls later. Two overs later, Pandya made it a double blow as Travis Head (5) was caught behind.

After Aussie pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile dismissed opener Ajinkya Rahane off a tempting outside-off delivery, he continued the similar against Kohli, who had walked in next.

With India tottering at 87/5, it all depended on the last recognised batting duo of Dhoni and Pandya, who got their act together to deliver the needed stability. "The captain is comfortable to get them into the fray as they can get crucial breakthroughs we look forward to in the middle part of the game", vice-captain Rohit said on Friday. "You need to identify at least two of those guys for your side to have more strength in both the departments", he said. Kohli was out for duck and Manish Pandey followed two balls later as he edged one behind to Matthew Wade.

This ODI series is gaining hype in light of the tension and controversy during the Test rubber earlier this year but Kohli isn't willing to indulge in it. Pandya smashed the leg spinner for a four and three successive sixes in one over to bring up his third ODI fifty. KL is an outstanding talent, he has proved himself in all formats.